Deanery Synod Members

All Deanery clergy are automatically members of Deanery Synod, while the lay members are nominated and elected at their APCMs for a three year term (starting June 2017). The number of lay representatives per parish depends on the size of the electoral roll. The role of Deanery Synod members is twofold: to represent the views of their parish at the Deanery Synod (including voting on matters put forward); and to report back to their parish on Deanery Synod business. Deanery Synod reps become ex officio members of their PCC. If a member stands down for any reason, the parish has a casual vacancy to fill. There are usually three Deanery Synod meetings per year - Spring, Summer (usually a Supper & Celebration style) and Winter.

Deanery Committees

Deanery planning is carried out by two committees, both with a mixture of lay and ordained members and answerable to the Diocese.

The Deanery Mission & Pastoral Committee, chaired by the Area Dean, is responsible for strategic planning and resourcing, and organises the Synod meetings.

The Finance Committee, led by the Deanery Finance Chair and Treasurer, is responsible for overseeing the Deanery budget and the parishes' allocation and payment of Common Mission Fund contributions.

Diocesan Synod

The Diocesan Synod is made up of clergy and lay people (who must be on the electoral roll of a parish in our Diocese). They are voted into office by the Deanery Synod. Diocesan Synod reps are elected for 3 years (next elections will be taking place summer 2018) and vacancies are overseen by the Diocese. However, unlike the Deanery Synod, Diocesan Synod members do not need to be Deanery Synod members to stand for election - it can be anyone on the electoral roll. Upon election, all Diocesan Synod reps become ex officio members of their Deanery Synod and their PCC (in addition to the normal allocation of lay places).

General SynodThe General Synod is the national council of the Church of England and has a much smaller number of people representing each Diocese. Each General Synod Member is allocated to a Deanery to form a two-way communication line. We are very blessed that our General Synod representative is from our own Deanery: Alison Coulter who is based at Christ Church in Winchester, and is also the Diocesan Synod Lay Chair.